Your roof is your number one defence against the elements.
However, you might not realize that your roofing system includes your gutters. Spring is here, and you’ll want to take care of your gutters to ensure they are clog-free and can work properly to protect your roof and property.
Winters are Rough on Gutters
Winter might be behind us, but its impact on your gutters is very much present.
The weight of snow and ice alone is enough to wreak havoc on your gutter’s integrity, pulling at their connections, putting pressure on their sides during the thaw and freeze process, and adding to the risk of rust on metal systems.
April Showers Mean More Water
As the temperatures rise, you can expect to see more rain.
As heavy rains hit your roof, the water trickles down the shingles and lands in your gutters. Their job is to carry that water away from your home, redirecting it to downspouts to prevent water damage and issues with your foundation.
Gutters also prevent erosion of your landscaping. Excess water and damaged gutters don’t mix, leading to gallons of water with nowhere to go. The result is water overflowing from the gutters and trickling down on your siding, windows and foundation, increasing the risk of water damage.
Clogged and Damaged Gutters Cause Basement Flooding
Clogged gutters might seem too far away from your basement to cause flooding.
However, when gutters are damaged or clogged with debris, they stop water from reaching downspouts to keep water away from the home. When your gutters overflow, water has nowhere to go but down, reaching the ground around your foundation. As water pools it can penetrate your foundation, leading to moisture issues, and in severe cases, flooding.
It’s way more affordable to pay someone to clean your gutters than it is to have them restore your basement after a flood.
Clogged Gutters Create Standing Water
Standing water in your gutters is an invitation for mosquitoes and other critters who are looking for a drink of water.
As a result, you can say goodbye to enjoying your backyard in the summer when your home is a breeding ground for skeeters. You can also find critters moving into your attic with access via areas where the gutters have pulled soffits and fascia away from your roofline.
Clean gutters stop standing water from pooling so you can enjoy your backyard and avoid unwelcome guests.
Overflowing Gutters Cause Wood Rot
As mentioned, the winter can send all kinds of debris into your gutters, which is made even worse if you didn’t get to clean out the leaves last fall.
Leaving debris unchecked means water won’t flow freely and has no other choice than to flow over the gutters. Come spring, you can be sure it will hit every element protecting your home on its way down, starting with your soffits and fascia, reaching your siding, and hitting your window frames.
If any of these components are wood, all that water is going to cause dry rot, allowing water to seep into your home. Even if you don’t see noticeable leaks, the moisture from this water can lead to dangerous mold growth, which can make your family sick.
One of the easiest ways to protect your home from water is to invest time or money in gutter cleaning and inspection. It’s definitely worth the investment.
The Len Roofing & Remodeling Difference
When we say that we’re a top-quality home remodeling and roofing company that serves the North Shore and surrounding Chicagoland area, we back it up. We do more than simply cover the basics: we show up on time and nail it.
For more information or to schedule a consultation, call 847-768-6000 or visit our contact page.
